Learn: Neuroscience: Brain Structures, Functions, and Protective Layers

Scalp

the skin covering the head; aids in protection

Cranium

The bone/skull protecting the brain

Meninges (3 layers)

3 layers of protective tissues around the brain and spinal cord (dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater)

Dura mater

Thick protective outermost layer of the meninges; protects brain and spinal cord; carries blood from brain to heart

Arachnoid mater

Web-like middle layer of the meninges; cerebrospinal fluid between this layer and the pia mater

Pia mater

Covers brain and spinal cord like cling wrap (direct contact)

Cerebrospinal fluid

Cushion/shock absorber that makes brain buoyant; circulates chemicals throughout brain and into spinal cord

Choroid plexus

Tissue that produces cerebrospinal fluid; found in ventricles of the CNS

Lateral ventricles

C-shaped cavities of the telencephalon; contains choroid plexus tissues and cerebrospinal fluid; made up of frontal horn, body, atrium, occipital horn, and temporal horn

3rd ventricle

a narrow cleft below the corpus callous, between the two thalami

4th ventricle

Small, tent-shaped cavity in the brainstem; aids in production, drainage, and ejection of cerebrospinal fluid; serves as a junction between ventricular system and subarachnoid space (cerebrospinal fluid is absorbed there)

Cerebral hemispheres (R and L)

left and right side are divided by the corpus colosum, Each hemisphere has 4 lobes

Frontal lobe

- influences behavioral traits such as personality, Decision making, motor control, Short term memory. Makes sense of the outside environment.

Parietal lobe

Integrates sensory information. Integrates sense of touch And and the positioning of our limbs. Left and right sides control the opposite sides of the body (left hemisphere controls the right Side of your body)

Occipital lobe

handles visual information and how we should react to it

Temporal lobe

controls memory, emotion, and language, recognition of objects, Places, and people.

Central sulcus

seperates frontal lobe from parietal lobe

Lateral sulcus/Sylvian fissure

seperates Frontal and parietal lobe from temporal lobe

Longitudinal fissure

Seperates Left and right cerebral hemispheres

Anterior commisure

Nerve fibers cconnecting the Left and right hemispheres

Corpus callosum

band of nerve fibers that connects the leFt and right hemispheres

Prefrontal cortex

Gives us executive function (the ability to make complex/socially mindful decisions); allows us to have unique behaviors and personality traits

Broca's area/inferior frontal gyrus

Necessary for production and coordination of speech; found only in left hemisphere in most people; damage to this area (Broca's aphasia) can impair ability to produce speech

Superior parietal lobule

Reconciles visual info from occipital lobe and sensory (touch) info from somatosensory cortex; allows us to identify something by touching it

somatosensory cortex/postcentral gyrus

Posterior to the central sulcus. Main processor of sensory information from skin, muscles, and joints. It contains the sensory homunculus.

Primary auditory cortex

Interprets sounds; Enables identification of unique sounds, and helps identify where sounds are coming from by comparing timing of sounds in the left and right ears

Wernicke's area

Allows us to comprehend language, both written and spoken

superior temporal gyrus

Involved in auditory processing and understanding language and speech

primary visual cortex

Receives and processes visual information from the eyes; helps the brain create a map of what you see.

midbrain

(Mesencephalon) contains Substantia Nigra, a cluster of dopamin-producing cells which help regulate movement. These cells die in Parkinson's disease, leading to a deficiency of dopamine for motor tasks.

pons

Contains Locus ceruleus, which is vital for attention. Locus Ceruleus is also the main source of norepinephrine

medulla oblongata

Contains many regions that control autonomic nervous system such as heart rate, respiration rate, etc. contains the pre botzinger, which generates respiration rhythm.

inferior colliculus

relay point between inner ear and auditory cortex and information travels.

superior colliculus

controls eye movements, attention shifts, and head position in response to sensory cues, often sudden and unexpected auditory or visual cues.

I - Olfactory

Responsible for olfactory processing (smell). Nose to olfactory bulb

II - Optic

responsible for visual processing carrying signals from retina to thalamus and brainstem

III - Oculomotor

eye movement and pupil dilation

IV - Trochlear

eye movement 1/6 muscles

V - Trigeminal

facial sensation and chewing -three sub nerves: 1) sensation from nose, eyes, upper face 2) middle of the face 3) mouth and chewing

VI - Abducens

eye movement

VII - Facial

facial expressions & taste from tounge and mouth

VIII - Vestibulocochlear

hearing and balance

IX - Glossopharyngeal

oral touch and taste, swallowing

X - Vagus

sensory signals from throat, controls speaking, swallowing, and vomitting

XI - Accessory

shoulder and neck

XII - Hypoglossal

tounge